Page 52 of Dance with the Dragon Duke

“I know I’m not the most gifted blood mage, but—”

“Darko,” Sora said, her voice rising, “even if you could manage it, look at Masha.”

He did what she asked, studying the small dragon. The familiar flapped her wings at him.

“Would you really want to return to a runt state,” Sora said, “trapped that way for all eternity? Trapped in the same form father forced you into for those terrible centuries when he held you captive? You hated it then. I remember.”

He brooded over his steaming cup. “Masha can change her shape.”

“You wouldn’t be able to,” Sora cautioned. “Not tethered to a mostly mortal soul, not half Unseelie as you are. You would be like Masha is now. Always lesser than you should be. How would you love your woman then?”

Dark glowered down at the tabletop. “If it would save her life …”

“But is that what she wants? You to be tethered to her, no longer as the man she loves but trapped as a tiny beast in the runt form you loathe? I grant Masha great power when I can. She uses my life force to change the way a trickster does, and still she would rather things were different. She only agreed to become my familiar to preserve her own life. She never would have chosen this for herself otherwise.”

The familiar hissed, forked tongue swiping at the air.

Sora interpreted, “Masha wouldn’t choose this for anyone, she says. Even an enemy. If your mate loves you in return, shewouldn’t want this for you.” She took a biscuit off the plate, a round one sprinkled with sugar, and tossed it to her familiar.

Dark’s hands formed fists. His nails bit into his palms. “I can’t lose Tomorrow.”

Sora leaned across the table, eyes demanding, dragging his gaze up to meet her penetrating stare. “Do you realize, brother, that you’re making her death entirely about yourself right now?”

A muscle in his cheek jumped. His jaw set. He would never,couldnever be so selfish. He loved her, damn it all.

Smoke puffed from his nostrils, but then just as quickly as anger burned through him, ugly shame made itself known, cooling Dark’s insides. He blinked at his sister and found no sympathy in her stony expression.

He wanted to deny it, but the words turned to ash on his tongue.

Sora was right. He’d never been more selfish in his entire life. Tomorrow wouldn’t want any of this for him, for either of them. Stuck in his runt form forever and unable to hide how unhappy he was, he’d make them both miserable.

Tomorrow insisted he didn’t need redemption for all that he’d lost in the war. She’d hate that he was still using her to chase it. Trouble clung to him that he’d never be rid of.

All the lives he’d lost because of it . . .

The shock of his next realization was ice in his veins. By continuously seeking some penance he could never have, he’d made the death of everyone he’d loved entirely about himself. Not about missing them. Not about remembering them. Never about honoring who they’d been.

About himself and his pain and his need to be redeemed. And for what?

Dragons didn’t show each other raw emotion usually, but when his eyes stung, he was too ashamed of his own selfishness to fret over the tears threatening to spill.

Sora surprised him again. She reached across the table and placed her hand over his. Her touch was dragon-warm. “Darko, what you’re enduring now is worse than any battle we’ve ever fought before. Worse than war. Worse than having a horrible tyrant for a father.” She squeezed his fingers so hard it hurt. “You deserve to be a little selfish right now, brother. Just don’t forget your lover completely in all this. You can’t ignore what she wants in favor of what you want. You can’t make this about you.”

Dark rubbed at his forehead. “What she wants,” he said contemplatively.

Sora released him, lifting her cup to her lips with both hands. She took a few swallows before returning it to its saucer. “If there is something I can do for you, something that your mate would like, then don’t hesitate to ask. We will make whatever time she has very special, and there is hope still. I can reach out to the demon clans near Hell. You take care of her, and I’ll send others to do the searching.”

Dark tried to pick up his teacup, but his fingers were shaking. Under the table, his knee bobbed. “Tomorrow is sweet and sees the beauty even in ferocious things.”

Sora gestured for him to continue. “We are all ears. Whatever your mate wants, I would see it granted.”

“Dresses.” His voice strained over the word. “I need more formal dresses. Ones perfect for dancing.”

Her smile displayed all of her sharp teeth. “I have dresses. What else would your mate like?”

“A ring. An engagement ring so large and precious dragons would kill for it,” he said, thinking of the way Tomorrow’s face had brightened when she’d seen his favorite things. It was no surprise that the mate of a dragon would know how to appreciate beautiful treasures.

Sora chuckled, displaying her sharp teeth. “Consider it done. Anything else?”

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